Railway-switch mechanism.



M. L. SHEPHERD.

RAILWAY SWITCH MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 2. 1915.

1 1 72;]. 72. Patented Feb. 15, 1916.

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21 1 mgm. awe "r04 THE COLUMBIA PLANDGRAPH co., WASHINGTON. D. c.

M. L. SHEPHERD.

RAILWAY SWITCH MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED APR.2,1915- Patented Feb. 15, 1916.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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"lllll THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH .60., WASHINGTON. D. c.

M. L. SHEPHERD.

RAILWAY SWITCH MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 2, I915.

1 179, 1 72. Patented Feb. 15, 1916.

TSHEETS-SHEET 3.

. u s l I II THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH 20., WASHINGTON, u. c.

M. -L. SHEPHERD.

RAILWAY SWITCH MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 2, 1915.

1,172,172. Patented Feb. 15, 1916.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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M1, 5 hepizerv' THE COLUMBIA PLANQGRAPH C0,, WASHINGTON, D. c

M. L. SHEPHERD.

RAILWAY SWITCH MECHANISM.

'APPLICATION FILED AFR.2,1915.

31400444501 JEZJZ. She wizard.

Patented Feb. 15, 1916.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH 60., WASHINGTON, D. c

M. L! SHEPHERD.

RAILWAY SWITCH MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 2. 1915.

Patented Feb. 15,1916.

7 SHEETSSHEET 6;

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wi lwwmo THE COLUMBXA PLANDGRAPN .60., WASHINGTON, D. c.

M/L. SHEPHERD.

RAILWAY SWITCH MECHANISM.

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Quorum THE COLUMBXA PLANOGRAPH co., WASHINGTON, D- C.

MARSHALL IJ- SI-IEPHERD, 0F MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA, ASSIGNOR TO SHEPHERD AUTOMATIC SWITCH COMPANY, INC., OF MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA. [a CORPOBA- TION OF ALABAMA.

RAILWAY-SVIITCH MECHANISM.

Patented Feb. 15, 1916.

Application filed April 2, 1915. Serial No. 18,752.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MAnsHALL L. SHEP- HERD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Montgomery, in the county of Montgomery and State of Alabammhave invented new and useful Improvements in Railway-Switch Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to railway switch mechanism for controlling the passage of rolling stock from a main track to a branch track or siding, and vice versa, and constitutes certain improvements upon the type of switch mechanism shown in my prior United States Letters-Patent No. 1,079,889, dated Nov. 25, 1913. I

One object of the present invention is to provide a switch mechanism embodying a novel construction, arrangement and organization of parts, whereby certain advantages in point of increased etiiciency and greater reliability are obtained.

Another object of the present invention is to provide certain improvements in the switch throwing and locking devices which insure certainty of action under all condi' tions of service.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a compensating connection between the switch point and switch throwing and locking mechanism, which connection is adapted to reduce shocks and jars, take up and compensate for wear and spreading of the rails, and to positively prevent locking of the switch point in a partly closed position.

With these and other objects in view, which will appear as the nature of the in vention is better disclosed, the invention consists of the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, herein after fully described andclaimed, reference being had to the accompany drawings, in which:-

Figure l is a top plan view 01" the rails and switch mechanism at a switch point, showing the switch point locked in normal position for travel on the main line. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of parts of the switch mechanism on an enlarged scale, and in the position they occupy when the switch is locked in closed position. Fig. 3 is a view inside elevationof the parts shown in Fig. 2. Fig. i is a section 011 line 1-4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a section on line 6-6 of Fig. 2; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the throw-bar and sliding actuating bar. Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing positions of the parts of the switch mechanism when the switch is locked in open position. Fig. 8 is a detail section on the line 88 of Fig. 8. Fig. 9 s a section on line 99 of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 1s a perspective view of some of the parts. Fig. 11 is a top plan view showing the motion transmitting connection between the actuating rod and the switch point. Fig. 12 is a section on the line l2-12 of Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a top plan view showing one of the motion transmitting connections between the guard rail and actuating rod. Fig. His a section on line 1=l14 of Fig. 1. Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the pivoted latch or locking device. Fig. 16 is asection on line 1616 of Fig. 13. Fig. 17 is a top plan view showing a modification in the construction of the switch mechanism. Fig. 18 is a section on line 1S18 of Fig. 17. Fig. 19 is a section on line 19-19 of Fig. 17.

1 1g. 20 1s a perspective view of the latch or locking device shown in Fig. 17. Fig. 21 is a similar view of the trip yoke employed in connection therewith.

Referring to'Figs. 1 to 16, inclusive, of the drawings, 1 and 2 designate the main line rails, 3 and 4 the branch line or siding rails, and 5 and 6 the switch rails connected for movement in unison by the rod '4", said rails 5 and 6 forming a switch point movable laterally to open and close communication between the main and branch lines. The switch point is self-closing, being normally held in closed position for travel over the main line by a controlling device 8, shown in Figs. 11 and 12, and the construction and operation of which will be hereinafter fully described. In the present in stance I have not shown any means for antomatically throwing the switch from the main line, but an automatic switch mechanism for this purpose of any suitable construction or of the type shown in my prior patent hereinbefore referred to may be employed. A switch throwing and locking mechanism is arranged at one side of the track structure and in proper proximity to the switch point, and comprises a sliding switch throwing and controlling bar 9, movable in a direction laterally or transversely of the rails. This bar 9 has-its inner end terminating adjacent to the point of juncture of the rails 2 and a and formed to provide a chamber 10 having an inner end wall 11 provided with a guide opening 12, and having an outer end wall 13 provided with a slot or opening 14:. The chamber 10 and slot l l are open at one side to receive the stem portion 15 of a connecting rod 16, the extremity of which stem portion slidably engages the opening 12 While the body of the rod extends through and slidably en: gages the slot it. A head 1:? is provided upon the stem for abutment against the wall 13 to limit the outward sliding movement of the rod, the body of which is formed with an eye 18 pivotally connected with an eye on the adjacent end of the rod 7, which moves through an opening in the flange of the rail 2, thereby coupling the rod 7 and rod 16 for conjoint motion. The stem 15 is threaded for a portion of its length to receive a nut 20, and surrounding said stein betweenthe wall 11 and nut 20 is a coiled cushioning and compensation spring 21 the construction providing a lost-motion, cushioning and compensating connection between the throw rod and switch point, for purposes hereinafter explained. j

The rod 9 is provided with a pair of oppositely extending lateral abutment shoulders 22 and 23, located at a point between ltS' ends, and at its forward end is formed or provided with a latch or keeper plate 24' having locking surfaces 25 and 26, and at its rear end the rod is formed with a short oblong slot 27 and opposite serrated surfaces 28. Arranged for coeperation with the throw bar is a latch or locking device 29, pivoted at a point intermediate of its length to swing horizontally upon a vertical axis 30. The forward or inward arm of this latch or locking device is provided with a lateral locking projection 31 for coeperatio'n with the surfaces 25 and 26 of the plate as, while the outer or rear arm of the latch is formed with a toe portion 32, having inclined or cam surfaces 33 and, 3e and a guide surface 35. Connected with the latch is a bolt or rod 36 slidably engaging a perforatedguide bracket 37 and surrounded by a coiled spring 38 interposed between saidbracket and an adjustable abutment on the bolt consisting of a washer, adjusting and lock nuts, as shown at 39, whereby the spring 38 may be tensioned. This spring is adapted to permit the latch or looking devicev to have a yielding retractive movement, while serving to normally hold it in looking position.

Arranged along the inner side of the rail 4 adjacent to the switch point is a laterally movable, wheel actuated guard rail 40, which is adapted to be forced inwardly a predetermined distance by the flanges of wheels passing over said rail. This guard rail is suitably mounted-for slidingmotio'n and is coupled by connections, consistlng of rods 41 and bell crank levers 42, with a longitudi:

nally movable actuating rod'or bar 43 arranged outside the ra1l l and rec proeable bodily in a direction parallel therewith. The

rail 40 is selfclosing, being normally held in contact with the rail a by spring conconnected, at a point between its transverse 7 center and pivoted end, with one end of a plunger rod 47 slidably mounted 1n a fixed cas ng 48 and acted upon by a spring as inclosed within said casing and adapted to be tensioned by nuts 50; A suitable number of these spring controlled retracting devices are employed, and the combined pressure due to the expansion of their springs is utilized to normally hold the rail 40 closed against the rail 4, while permitting it to have yielding spreading motion away from said rail 4 under the pressure of-the wheel flanges, and to return the guard rail to closed position when the pressure of said flanges is removed; By employing pivoted levers &5 between the rail 40and the spring plungers,. the longer arms of which levers are connected with the guard rail, it will be evident i that the travel of the plungers is reduced, with respect to that of the guard rail, so that while the springs will be compressed to a certain and sufficient degree to return the guard rail to normal position, theircompression will not be compounded or carried out to such a degree as to render them unduly resistant against switch throwing motion of the guard rail and the actuating rod143.

A spring retracting and compensating connection is also provided between the rail 6 of the switch point and the actuating rod or bar 43, and this connection comprises a rod 47 attached at one end to the rail 6 and slidable through the flange of the rail 4: and pivotally coupled at its opposite end to one end of a lever 48. This lever 48 is pivoted at its opposite end for lateral swinging motion to a bracket 49 and at an intermediate point is coupled to a plunouter end of the rod andserving to limit its inward motion with respect to the casing. The casing is fitted to slide within a guide housing 56 secured to the track foundation and is pivotally connected at its opposite end with one arm of a bell crank lever 57,

the other arm of which has a lost-motion connection with the actuating rod orbar 43. This lost-motion connection may be of any suitable form, but, as shown, consists in providing the other arm of the lever 57 with a forked end 58 engaging the rod 43 between spaced. shoulders 58 and 58 thereon, thenormal positions of which are a, shown in Fig. 11. I

The parts just described form a telescopic spring controlled ccnnection'between the actuating device and switch point, which serves to always return the switch point, after actuation and release, to normal position, and which insures a smooth and reliable cushioning action and furth rpermits independent motion of the actuating rod in certain phases of operation, the parts further serving in such action as a lost-motion connection. l I

The forward end of theactuatingrod or bar 43 is coupled by a pairof toggleointed levers 59 to the short arm of a motion transmitting lever 60, pivotally supported, as at 61, to swing in a direction laterally o f'the; trackway and carrying at the free end of its long arm an adjustable friction contact roller 62, adapted to engage the shoulder 22 of the bar 9 to transmit switch throwing motion to the latter when the actuating bar as is operated in switch throwing direction by the guard rail .40. v

Pivotea at one end, as at 63, to the long arm of the lever 60 is a latch controlling member in the form of a bar or lever -54, which normally lies parallel with the lever 60 and is held in such position by a coiled spring disposed upcn abolt cr rod 66 connected with the lever 6i and. having a sliding engagement with the lever 60 and provided with a nut 67 whereby the spring may be tensioned. This spring is stiff enough to return the lever 64. to normal position a'ter outward movement, and upon its release for retraction, and yet light enough to permit the lever 64 to separate or swing outward from the lever 60 for latch controlling actions, as hereinafter described: The free end of the lever 64 carries an adjustable friction rollerfiS which normally seats within the recess or slight concavity formed by the toe portion 32 of the latch or locking device 29, is movable for contact with the cam surfaces 33 and 3 1 to tilt the latch or locking device to retracted position, and is engageable with the surface 35 of the latch or locking device and adapted to seat in a notch or recess 35 therein to adapt the latch or locking device to maintain a secondary locking position to hold the switch point in thrown position. Pivoted to the lever (30 is a. gravity latch dog 69 which s' d pted to extend transversely across the levers 60 and 64; when saldlevers are 1n parallel relat1on, one end of said dog being provided with a latch hook 70 to engage and connect the lever 64 with the lever 60 for retraction, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9. The ether end of said dog has a strnier arm 71 adapted for engagement with an acjustablc contact or abutment 72-, whereby when the lever 60 is in normal position, the dog 69 will be held out of engagement with the lever 64 to permit the latter to have independent movement, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 4.

It'will thus be understood that a train running from the branch line into the main line will shift the bar laterally by engagement of the flanges of its wheels with said bar, by which the retracting springs of said bar will be tensioned and the connections i1 and 1-2 actuated to move the actuating rod or bar 43 longitudinally in a direction'toward the branch line, whereby the toggle links or levers 59 will be straightened out to a certain extent, shown in Fig. 8. As a result the lever (50 will be swung on its pivot 61 until the friction roller 68 of the lever 64 travels inwardly over the cam surface-33, whereby the latch will be tilted to withdraw the projection 31 from engage ment with the latch surface 25 so as to release the throw bar 9 and permit the switch point to be thrown. In this motion of the lever 60 the dog 69 is carried out of engagement with the contact 27 and tilts by gravity to lock the two lovers 60 and (a to grther, and at this time the friction roller 62 cf the lever 60 engages the shoulder and operates the throw bar 9 to throw the switch. In this switch throwing movement the frictitn roller 68 of the trip lever (islmoves beyond the cam surfaces and 3a; and engages the recess 35 in the surface 35 allowing the latch 29 to be drawn into loching engagement with the rear locking surface 26 by the action of its spring 38, the switch being thereby thrown and locked in thrown position.

l/Vhen the rod 13 and parts above described are actuated on their switch throwlng motion, the spring 21 of the lost-motion and compensation connection between the rod 7 and throw bar 9 serves, first, as a cushioning device to protect the switch point and parts from liability of damage resulting from rapid movement of the bar 20, aswhen thetrain or car is traveling at high speed, and, secondly, the spring 21 serves as a mo tion transmitting connection by which the continued movement of the rod 43, whereby the switch point is thrown bythe movement of the bar 9, the bell crank lever 57 is operated to shift the casing or sleeve 51 inwardly, in which motion it moves in.un ison with the rod or stem 50, owing to the connection afforded by the engagement'of the closure 5:2 with the nut 55, whereby the throw motion of the switch point is permitted and additional power obtainedthrough the connection just described. When, however, the switch point is unlocked-for a closing action by the movementot' the guard rail 40 by the wheels of a train passing from the branch line into the main line, and whil e the said switch point is engagedand held open by the wheel flanges afterthe guard rail a0 has been released and returned to normal position by the springsxlS), ittwill be evident that the spring 53willre1nain compressed or under tension, since the guard rail and actuating rod on their returmmotion restore the part 51 to normal position. The stem 50, however, being held by-the open switch point 6 against inwardmovement, can not move outwardlyas a unit with the part 51 to return to normalposition until the switch point 6 is released. Asa consequence, the guard rail a0 and rodx l3, immediately upon release, are returned to normal position by the springs 49, while the switch point is held open until cleared by the wheels and is then closed by the contraction of the spring 58. It will thus be'seen that in the operation stated the spring 53 serves to close the switch point.

l/Vhen the guard rail 40 is released by the wheels and is retracted by the actioi' of its retracting springs, the rod 43 is returnedto normal position, and in such motion the shoulder 58 engages and moves the. bell crank lever 57 back to normal position, in which the casing 51 is operated totension the spring 53, as just described. On-such-return motion to normal position the rod shifts the toggle levers 59 back to the position shown in Fig. 2, thereby swinging the lever 60 backwardly to normal position, carrying with it the trip lever (Set, thefriction roller 68 of which engages the cam surface 3% and tilts the latch29 to released position, thus allowing the parts of the latch controlling mechanism to return to the-normal position shown in Fig. 2, In the travel of the train from the branch line to the main line, it will be evident that after. the guard rail 40 is released by the wheelsthe switch point 6 will still be held open ,bythe wheel passes fully beyond the switch point into the main ,line; The switch point is not locked at this stage in open position, however, as the .full retraction of the throw bar 9 is prevented by reason of the fact that the shoulder l7, owing to the switch point being held open by the wheels, opposes resistance to the return movement of the bar 9 beyond a. predetermined extent. This return motion isequal only to the distance thebaris permittedto move by the shoulder 17 under the errpansion of the previously compressed spring 2],, which isljust suiiicient to bring the keeper plate 24 at its middle pointin contact with the projection Blofthe latch bar 29, thereby preventing the full return Qf,thebar 9 and the consequent lockingof the switch point in open position, with, obvious objections. NVhen, however, the switch pointds, releasedbythe wheels upon the entry of the train into the mainline, the switch point is automatically. closed by the action of thelspringsvaett) and 53' and transmits the balance ofthereturn motion tothe bar-9, which is againlocked in normal or retractedposition by theengagement of the latch projectioni-ll j with the shoulder 25. Thus; it will beseenthat while thetrain-releases the guard rail for an. automatic closing action upon the passage of thewheels beyond thesame, the switch point will re main held open by the wheels until the switch-is fully cleared, the locking device being held inoperative by the action of the lost-motion compensating connection between the switch point and throw bar to prevent said switch point and throw bar from being locked in thrown position, thus insuring a positive and absolutely safe closure of the switch point upon the passage of the train beyondthe switch into the main line and avoiding liability of derangement of theaswitch mechanism and subsequent trouble oraccidents.

As-before stated, an automatic means,

such .as vshown in my prior mentioned patent, maybe employed for controlling the latch'and throwing the switch point from the main line, for travel of the rolling stock fi'om the.main line-to the branch line, the

switch mechanism being adaptable for use in conjunction .with a train controlled switch throwing device for this purpose.

Inthe present instance, however, I have simply shown .a manually operable switch mechanism whereby the switch may be thrown for the travel of rolling stock from the main line to the branch line, and which manually operable switch throwingmechanism'may operate withoutinterfering with or. interference from the automatic switch throwing -mechanism in the branch line. This manually operable switch throwing mechanism comprisesa weighted hand lever 73 coupled by a suitable crank connection 74 with a. link 75, coupling said crank connection to a sliding actuating bar 76. This bar has a head portion "[7 to engage the abutment shoulder 23 of the bar 9 and is provided with longitudinal slot 78 through which passes the headed end of a connecting pin or bolt79, which extends through the elongated aperture27 in the bar 9 and is provided with a flange 89 and a clamping nut 81 errated toengage the serrated surfaces 28 of the bar 9, wherebythe bolt or pin is held in adjusted position upon said. bar 9. A checknut 82 isprovided to hold the nut 81 from working loose and awasher 83 on the pin or bolt is of suitablelform for coiiperation with the flange to guide the bar 76 for motionin parallelism with the bar'9. This construction provides a sliding lost-motion connection between the two bars 9 and 76, which permits the bar 9 and latch 29 to be controlled independently of the bar maticfactuating mechanism 'in the branch line, and at the same time permits the bar 9 and latch device to be controlled by the bar76 from the hand switch independently of thesaid automatic actuating mechanism, it being 9Vi(l11h tl1li3 the pin 79 may slide freely in the slot 78 without interfering with the bar 76 when the bar 9 is actuated by the lever 60;

As previously described, the trip lever (34 is normally free for movement independent of the lever 60, owing to the fact that the dog 69 is normally held retracted by the abutment 72. Hence when the bar 76 is moved inwardly or forwardly by the hand lever, it will be obvious that its head77 will engage and move the lever 64: forwardly independently of the lever 60, so thatthe roller 68 will engage the cam surface 38 and 'trip and release the latch, so that on the continued forward movement of the bar 76 the head 77 thereof will engage the shoulder 23 and impart switch throwing motion to the bar and from the bar to the switch point through the interconnecting lost-motion and compensation spring connection, the springs 21 being tensioned in such action and the switch point and throw bar 9 being locked in closed position by the engagement of the latch with the shoulder 26. The switch point will thus be held in locked position until the wheels of the rolling stock engage and move the switch rail 40 away from the rail 4, thus actuating the rod 43 to release the latch to permit the switch point to close, the switch point being held open, however, until cleared by the wheels by the pressure of the wheel flanges on the rail 40.

When the rail 40 is moved away from the rail 4 by the wheels of a train passing from the mean to the branch line, the rod 455 will 76 by means of the auto-V be actuated as previously described and will transfer motion to the lever 60, which in this instance will move forwardly until the do 69 engages the trip lever 6e and locks said lever 64 to the lever 60 for their retraction as a unit. The parts will remain in this position, in which the latch 29 is disposed in the locking position shown in Fig. 8, until the rolling stock passes the rail 40, whereupon the actuating parts will be returned by their springs to normal position, the levers 60 and 64 being retracted until returned tothe position shown in Fig. 2 and in their retraction tripping the latch 29 to release the "throw bar 9 for the closing of the switch point and moving of said throw bar back to normal position, in which the parts are relocked by the latch 29, thereby resetting the switch to close the main line and for the succeeding switching ope ation." WVhen the weighted switch lever 73 is released it drops back to normal position, thus retracting and resetting the bar 75'. Hence it will be seen that the switch may be thrown by the automatic device in the branch line or by the hand switch mechanism without interference, each from the other, and will be properly controlled and automatically closed or reset upon the travel of the rolling stock past the switch point.

In the slightly modified form of my invention. shown in Figs. 17 to 21, inclusive, the latch device 29 is pivoted to swing vertically on a horizontal. axis 30 and the throw bar 9 is provided with a reduced portion or shank 84: providing an abutment shoulder 85. The pivoted actuating lever 60 in this construction has a forked end 86 which loosely engages the shank 84 and is adapted to abut against "the forward upright arm" 87 of a U-shape sliding and tilting trip member or latch controlling slide 6% having its arms 87 and 88 provided with openings 89 for the passage of the shank 8% which they slidably engage, the upper end of the arm 87 being slotted or bifurcated 'as at 89 to receive and engage the trip arm of the latch lever 29, and carrying a friction roller 68 serving the same function as the roller 68' before described. The slide 6% is provided with a pair of spaced depending lugs 90, provided with apertures 91 for the passage of a pin or bolt 92, passing through an elongated longitudinal slot 93 in a sliding actuating bar 76 connected by a crank arm 94 with the hand throw lever 73, said slid- 111g actuating bar being provided with an inclined or cam surface 95. The upper face of the horizontal body portion of the slide 64 is grooved. as at 96. to partly receive a dog or latch bar 97 pivoted thereto at 98 at a point between its center and forward end, the rear or longer and heavier arm of said dog or latch bar being movable vertireally in a slot 99 in the arm 88 and adjacent end of the body of the slide 64 and adapted to tilt down into engagement with'the cam or inclined surface 95 and to be normally supported by a ledge or shoulder 100 011 the bar 7 6 adjacent to and. in rear ofsaid cam or inclined shoulder. In the operation of these parts through the rod orbar 43 the lever 60 is swung by the straighteningout of the toggle levers 59 as before, and. its forked end 86 engages and slides the arm 87 of the slide 6 k into engagement with the shoulder 85, so that during the fore portion of the movement of the actuating bar and lever the friction roller 68 will slide over and beyond the cam faces of the latch 29 and retract said latch, the arm 87 on the continued and remainder of the movement of the bar 43 and lever 60 shifting the bar 9 to switch throwing position in which, it is locked by the actionof the latch 29 in the same manner as before. In this operation the bar 76 remains stationary and asthe. slide 6 L moves forwardly the weighted airmof the latch dog 97 moves pastv the ledge 10,0 and tilts downward into engagementwith the inclined surface 95, thus tilting the forward and. short arm ofsaidlatchinto engagement with the forked end 86' of the lever 60 and coupling the trip member to said lever for subsequent return. motion to normal position, as will be readily understood. In the operation of the switchmechanism by the lever 7 3 the bar 76 on its forward movement engages the pin 92- and carries the trip member with it, said trip member sliding alongthe shank 84: and. tripping the latch and moving the throw bar 9, but without affecting the lever 60, since in this instance the bar 76 and tripmember move as a unit and the locking dog remains supported by the ledge: or shoulder 100, so-

that the dog slides under the forked, arm 86 of the lever 60 to permit the latch and throw bar to be operated without interfer ence from the actuating elements in the branch line.

From the foregoing descriptiomtaken in. connection with the accompanylng drawings, the construction and mode of operation of my improved switch mechanism will be readily understood, and it will be seen of one another and control a common locking means, whereby the construction is sim minimum, number of parts operating at a time. The invention overcomes the Well known objections to split and other common types offswitches in use, inasmuch as a safe that the switch can only be thrown under ordinary conditions the power of passing rolling stock. a 1

Iv claim 1, In. a railway switch, J a self-closing switch point, a switch throwing bar, means for operating said bar, a locking device for locking the bar in switch opening andcl'osing positions, and a lost motion ela'stioconnection' between the switch point and bar operative: to permit the switch point to be. held open by the wheels until cleared after" the bar has returned tonormal position.

2. In a railwayswitch, av self-closing switch point, a switch throwingvloar, a plurality of separate and-independent devices. for operating said switchthrowing bar, a' locking device for lockinggthe switchthrow ing bar inswitch opening and closing. positions, and a lost-motion elastic connection between the switch point and bar operative to permit the switch point to beheld open by; the. wheels until cleared after -:retraction of said'bar. v

3. In a railway switch,' a. switch point, aswitch throwing bar, a plurality of separate and independent devices for operating'said switch throwing bar, a locking device adapted to be released prior tojthethro-wing; of the switehand set for a relocking action, and alost-motion elasticconnection between the switch point and bar. operative; to permit; the switch point to be held open; bythe wheels until cleared after retraction of said bar- I 4. In railway switch,- a self-closing switch point, a switch throwing bar, a train controlledelementfor operating; said bar, a lockingdevice adapted to be released prior to'thethrowing of the-switch and setv for a relocking; action, and a lost motionelastic. connection between the switch point and bar operative to permit the switchpoint tobe held open by the wheels until cleared after the bar has returned to normal; position.

5. In a} railway; switch; a self-closing switch point, aswitch throwing-bar, a switch throwing 'device, an actuating element operatedthereby, switch throwing and locking means controlled by'said element and" cooperating-with thesa-me and the. switch bar, and a -lost-motion telescopic spring controlled; connection between. said actuating self-closing V I motion telescopic element and the switch point, said connection comprising parts movable in unison in one direction and independently in the opposite direction.

6. In a railway switch, a self closing switch point, a switch throwing bar, a lost spring controlled connection between theswitch point and switch throwing bar,--a. train-controlled switch throwing device, an actuating element operated thereby, switch throwing and locking means controlled by said element and cooperating with the same and switch bar, and a lost-motion telescopic spring controlled connection between said actuating element and the switch point, said connection being composed'of parts movable in unison in one direction and independently in the opposite direction.

7. In a railway switch, a self-closing switch point, a switch throwing bar, a locking device for locking the bar in switch opening and closing positions, a train controlled operating member, an actuating ele mentoperated thereby, and-a connection between the actuating element and switch point, said connection embodying telescopic members, one connected with the switch and the other having a lost-motion connection with the actuating element, and a spring between said telescoping parts operative to permit the first-named part to have independent movement in the switch opening direction and to subsequently return said part to normal position. v

8. In a switch throwing device, a selfclosing switch point, a switch bar for operating the same, an actuating element, a motion transmitting member operable by said element, a latch device for locking the switch bar in open and closed positions, and a trip member carried by said motion transmitting member and cooperating therewith to first re ract the locking device andthenoperate the switch bar.

9. In a switch throwing device, a self closing switch point, a switch throwing bar, an actuating element, a motiontransmitting member movable by said element, a trip device pivotally connected with said member, a locking device for locking the switch throwing bar in open and closed positions, said pivoted trip member being adapted to retract the locking device and permit the switch to be thrown, and means for independently operating the trip member.

10. In a railway switch, a self-closing switch point, a switch throwing bar. a train controlled element for actuating said switch throwing bar, a locking device adapted to be released prior to the throwing of the switch and set for a relocking action, a lostmotion elastic connection between the switch point and. bar operative to permit the switch point to be held open by the wheels until cleared after retraction of the bar. and a lost-motion telescopic spring controlled connectionbetween said train controlied element and the switch point, said connection comprising parts movable in unison in one direction and independently in the opposite direction.

ll. In a railway switch, a seltclosing switch point, a switch thrmving bar, a tilting latch for locking the bar in switch opening and closing positions, said latch havii a pair of spaced cam surfaces, actuating means for shifting the switch bar to switch opening and closing positions, and a trip device controlled by said actuating means and adapted to engage the cam surfaces of the latch device to tilt said latch device and release the bar for its switch opening and closing movements.

.12. In a railway switch, a self-closing 5:

switch point, a throw bar having a lost-motion cushioning connection with the switch point, a latch for locking said throw bar in switch opening and closing positions, switch throwing devices, a trip member operable independently by said devices for controlling the latch, and means adapting said trip member to be positively coupled to one of said switch throwing devices for retraction thereby. 7

18. In a railway switch, a self-closing switch point, a throw bar having a lost-motion cushioning connection with the switch point, a latch for locking the throw bar in switch opening and closing positions, automatic switch throwing means including an operating member, a latch trip device pivotally connected with said operating member so as to have movement independently thereof, a second latch device for coupling the trip device to the operating member, means for normally holding the second latch device inoperative, and a manually operable switch throwing device for controlling said trip device independently of the automatic switch throwing mechanism.

14:. In a railway switch, a self-closing switch point. a throw bar having a lost-motion cushioning connection with the switch point. a latch device for locking the throw bar in switch opening and closing positions, switch throwing means including an operating member, a trip device movably connected therewith, means for permitting said trip device to have advancing movement in cooperation with or independently of said operating device and for automatically returning the same to norma position independentadvancing movement, and means for op erating said trip device independently oi said operating in ember.

15. In a. railway switch, a self-closing switch point. a throw bar having a. lcst-motion cushioningconnection with the switchpoint, a latch for locking the throw bar in switch opening and closing positions, switch throwing means including an operating member, a latch trip device pivoted to said operating member so as to have an advancing movement with or independent of said operating member, means for retracting the trip member after independent actuation, means for coupling the trip member to the operating member for joint retraction after actuation, said means being inoperable when the parts are in normal position and thrown into operation upon an advancing motion thereof, and separate and independent means for actuating the trip device on its independent advancing motion.

16. In a railway switch, a self-closing switch point, a throw bar having a lost-mo tion cushioning connection with the switch point, switch throwing means including a swinging operating member, a pivoted latch trip device carried by said member, a latch controlled by said trip device for locking the switch bar in switch opening and closing positions, a second latch device, normally held retracted, for coupling the trip device to the operating member for retraction therewith when said members are jointly advanced, and means for returning the trip member to normal position after actuation when independently advanced.

17. In a railway switch, a self-closing switch point, a throw bar having a lost motion cushioning connection with the switch point, switch throwing mechanism including an operating member, a swinging latch trip device carried by said operating member,

latch controlled by said device for locking the throw bar in switch opening and closing positions, separate and independent means for advancing the trip device independently of the first-named means, a latch for connecting the trip device with the operating member for retraction when said elements 7 are jointly advanced, and a spring for per.-

mitting independent advancing movement of the trip device and subsequently retract ing the same.

18. In a railway switch, a self-closing Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, 7

switch'point, a reciprocating switch throw bar having a lost motion, cushioning connec tion with the switch point, a latch device for locking the bar in switch opening and closing positions, switch throwing means including an operating member, separate and independentswitch throwing means includ.

ing another operating member, a latch trip device operable independently by said members and carried by the first-namedmember, a latch for coupling said trip device to the first-named member for retraction therewith when said elements are advanced together, means for holding said latchretracted when the parts are in normal position, and a spring tensioned by the independent advancing movement of the trip device for return ing it to normal position.

19. In a switch throwing device, a selfclosing switch point, a throw bar having a lost motion cushioning connection with the switch point, a laterally movable guard rail, an actuating rod controlled by said rail and movable longitudinally in a general direction parallel with the track-way, a latch device for locking the throw bar in switch opening and closed positions, a horizontally and laterally swinging member actuated by the rod, and a trip device controlled by said member for controlling said latch device.

20. In a railway switch, switch throwing mechanism including a laterally movable guard rail, a longitudinallymovable actuating rod or bar, actuating connections be tween said parts, and retracting devices, each including a cylinder and a spring actuated piston therein, and a swing lever 'i'ulcrume'd at one end to a fixed support and pivotally connected at its opposite 'endwith'the rail, said lever being pivotally connected with the piston rod at a point between the center andfulcrum end of, the lever. V

"In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses. MARSHALL L. SHEPHERD.

\Vitnes'ses J; "LEE HApLowAY,

A. N; Dona.

Washington, Die. 

